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Mahavira, Devadatta used (another) Ananda for a similar errand to the Buddha. The reactions of Mahavira and the Buddha, too, have striking similarity.
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Both the rebel disciples became very influential for some time. Gosalaka had a large following. Devadatta could mobilise the patronage of King Ajatasatru. The king was under his personal influence.
But it is worth while to note that at the closing time of their life, both regained reverence for their respective masters. Both died of similar diseases.
After his death, Devadatta was born in a hell named Avici. He will be there for 1, 00, 000 kalpas, after which he will get his release from the hell and be born as a Buddha, and will then enter into liberation. But it was the reverse with Gosalaka. After his death, he was born in a heaven called Acyutakalpa. When he will descend from there, he will have to spend many lives in infernal and sub-human existences. In the end, he will be perfected, enlightened and liberated.
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The Gosalaka episode is recorded in the Bhagavati and has been incorporated earlier in this volume. Devadatta episode is contained in the Sangha Bhedaka Khandhaka Prakarana in the Vinayapitaka Cullavagga. A summary from the same source is given below. Both stories are important in so far as they throw ample light on contemporary religious movements, social and political conditions and communal mentalities of the people. Both the narratives appear to be very much distorted and full of rancour and bitterness. But a researcher's eye may still discern some useful material from them.
Devadatta
Starting from Anupiya, Bhagavan Buddha arrived at Kausambi. He encamped at a shelter named Ghoşita. Monk Devadatta was seated in a secluded corner thinking, "Whom should I cultivate in order to earn a great merit'?
Suddenly he thought of King Ajātasatru and he thought, 'King Ajatas atru is young and promising. He had a bright
| SR No. | 022804 |
| Book Title | Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Nagaraj Muni |
| Publisher | Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers |
| Publication Year | 1986 |
| Total Pages | 804 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 19 MB |